Four Region Frontrunners to Watch

<p>Two weeks into the 2020 high school volleyball season, region frontrunners have emerged throughout Kentucky.</p> <p>Here are four region frontrunners to watch.</p> <p><strong>Assumption (Region 7):</strong> The reigning state champion, Assumption entered the 2020 high school volleyball season ranked first in the coaches state poll. Assumption dropped its season opener to familiar foe Mercy Academy. However, the Rockets have reeled off six straight wins. Assumption is 6-1 through the first two weeks of the 2020 high school volleyball season. The Rockets won the 2020 LVIT title on Saturday, Sept. 12, shutting out Mercy Academy 2-0 (25-18, 25-18). [player_tooltip player_id="106668" first="Sydney" last="Helmers"] (87 kills, 5 blocks, 11 digs), [player_tooltip player_id="68070" first="Jenny" last="Wessling"] (97 digs, 13 assists, 6 service aces), [player_tooltip player_id="68076" first="Alyssa" last="Eaton"] (110 assists, 21 digs), Parker Nall (101 assists, 8 digs), [player_tooltip player_id="103831" first="Madilyn" last="O’Toole"] (66 digs, 4 service aces) and [player_tooltip player_id="103830" first="Caroline" last="Cermack"] (52 kills, 7 blocks, 15 digs, 6 service aces) are among the early leaders for the Rockets. Assumption has defeated Region 11 leader Henry Clay twice and both Greenwood and St. Henry once thus far in the 2020 high school volleyball season.</p> <p><strong>Mercy Academy (Region 6):</strong> A perennial state title contender, Mercy Academy remains on top in Region 6. The Jaguars edged Assumption 3-2 (19-25, 25-23, 25-27, 25-23, 18-16) in a season opener. Mercy Academy defeated Assumption for the first time since 2014. Defending Region 6 champion Mercy Academy is off to a 6-2 start in the 2020 high school volleyball season. The Jaguars have dropped matches to Assumption and Sacred Heart. Determined Sacred Heart outlasted the visiting Jaguars 3-2 (22-25, 15-25, 25-21, 25-20, 15-10) in a match on Friday, Sept. 18. Defensive standout [player_tooltip player_id="68066" first="Eleanor" last="Beavin"] continues to lead Mercy Academy. Along with Beavin, [player_tooltip player_id="103828" first="Fallan" last="Lanham"], Allison Holloway, Chloe Newton, Kayla Mantell and Ella Teeley are excelling for the Jaguars. </p> <p><strong>North Oldham (Region 8):</strong> Defending Region 8 champion North Oldham opened its 2020 season on September 14. The Mustangs notched back-to-back wins over Ballard and South Oldham before suffering a loss to rival Simon Kenton. Still, North Oldham remains the frontrunner in the 8th Region. Lindsey Adams (76 assists, 32 digs, 8 kills, 2 service aces), Emily Goddin (25 kills, 10 blocks, 5 digs, 2 assists, 2 service aces), Meredith Kovarovic (22 kills, 31 digs, 6 service aces, 2 blocks, 2 assists), Karly McNeil (54 digs, 6 assists, 2 service aces), [player_tooltip player_id="103838" first="Jordan" last="Atchison"] (14 kills, 21 digs, 6 service aces, 2 assists) and Erika Beisner (17 kills, 4 blocks, 3 digs, 1 assist) are the leaders for North Oldham through the 2020 season’s first three matches.</p> <p><strong>Notre Dame (Region 9):</strong> Current Region 9 frontrunner Notre Dame has won five of its first seven matches in the 2020 high school volleyball season. The Pandas have notched wins over familiar in-state foes Cooper, Beechwood, Campbell County and St. Henry. Notre Dame dropped a match to in-state opponent Sacred Heart during the first week of the regular season. A balanced attack for Notre Dame is featuring various key contributors, including [player_tooltip player_id="68089" first="Abby" last="Powers"], [player_tooltip player_id="106678" first="Sydney" last="Nolan"], Sydney Schroder, [player_tooltip player_id="68106" first="Emily" last="Wichmann"], [player_tooltip player_id="68075" first="Emma" last="Grace"], [player_tooltip player_id="68084" first="Anna" last="Long"] and Emily Bentley.</p>